Between the snow-covered roads and holiday festivities, it can be difficult to make time for blood donation that helps those in our area.

But as we all know, need does not take a break during the holidays. Take a look at the Green Bay donation center and local blood drive schedules so that you can make an appointment. If you don’t know when you will have time, print it now and carry it with you. When you find time to pop-in and help out a neighbor, you will know where to go. By making an appointment to donate blood through the American Red Cross this holiday season, you not only give someone hope- you help save lives too.

The Green Bay Blood Donation Center at 2131 Deckner Ave., is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 2 PM – 6 PM, Friday hours are from 9 AM to 1 PM and Saturday hours are 8 AM- Noon. The center will be closed December 25 and January 1, but special holiday hours include:

Wednesday, December 23 from 2 PM- 6 PM

Thursday, December 24 from 8 AM – Noon

Wednesday, December 30 from 2 PM- 6 PM

Thursday, December 31 from 8 AM- Noon

Donations will be collected at Pilgrim Congregational Church, at 991 Pilgrim Way, every Friday from 9 AM – 1 PM. With another opportunity to donate at the blood drive on Tuesday, December 22 between 9 AM and 3 PM.

ADDITIONAL BROWN COUNTY COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVES:

Date

Location

Address

City

Drive Time

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Howard Village Hall

2456 Glendale Ave

Green Bay

7am – 1pm

Monday, December 28, 2009

National Guard Amory

800 N Military

Green Bay

Noon – 6:30pm

Monday, December 28, 2009

St Joseph Church Champion

5996 Cty Rd K

New Franken

11am – 5pm

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

St Matthews Catholic Church

130 St Matthew St

Green Bay

1:30pm – 6pm

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

1307 Lourdes Ave

De Pere

1:30pm – 5:30pm

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Denmark Our Savior Lutheran Church

435 Wisconsin Ave

Denmark

10am – 2pm

Friday, January 08, 2010

American Legion Hall Pulaski

135 N Augustine Street

Pulaski

11:30am – 5:30 pm

During the holiday season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have helped save the lives of many. Eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

(November 4, 2009) – This year, the American Red Cross 24th Annual Holiday Blood Drive , honors Hayden Blatter, a blood and bone marrow recipient who was treated at the UW American Family Children’s Hospital. Hayden is now an active 2-year-old, due in part to dedicated blood donors. When Hayden was just 5 months old, he was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), an autoimmune disease. The disease caused Hayden’s antibodies to attack his platelets, requiring him to receive frequent platelet transfusions. In addition, to reduce the risk of infections, he also received Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatments. IVIG is a product made of plasma.

Without a bone marrow transplant, WAS is potentially fatal. In 2008, Hayden received his stem cell transfusion and remained in isolation for nearly a year to reduce his risk for infection and allow his immune system to rebuild itself.

“We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas at our home since we couldn’t go out visiting,” said Kami Blatter. “People were actually afraid to be the one to bring in any sickness, so they didn’t visit.”

Hayden Blatter and his family will share Hayden’s story of survival and hope, and celebrate Hayden’s first Christmas out of isolation. By making an appointment to donate blood through the American Red Cross this holiday season, you not only give someone hope – you help save lives too.

Eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Appointments are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome.

With heavy snow and freezing temperatures predicted throughout the week the American Red Cross recommends taking a few steps that will help you stay safe despite the winter weather.

“Winter storms can knock down power lines, make travel difficult because of icy road conditions, and keep people isolated in their homes for several days,” said Steve Hansen, the Regional Chapter Executive. “That’s why now is the perfect time to get ready before this winter storm hits our area. Make sure you have the food and supplies on hand now that you may need if it’s not safe to travel or if the power goes out.”

The Red Cross recommends stocking up on easy-to-prepare foods, medications for family members, diapers, baby formula, pet food, extra-batteries for flashlights, and hygiene items like toilet paper and tissues. Make sure you have enough wood or coal for fireplaces or coal-burning stoves.

In addition, the Red Cross offers the following ideas to help stay safe during winter storms:

Tips for Staying Safe at Home

Be careful with candles – do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.

Prevent frozen pipes – when the weather is very cold outside, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. Let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing. Keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature.

Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.

If you plan on using a fireplace to stay warm, keep a glass or metal fire screen around the fireplace and never leave a lit fire unattended.

If using a space heater, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely use the heater. Place it on a level, hard, nonflammable surface. Turn the space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Keep children and pets away from your space heater and do not use it to dry wet clothing.

Avoid overloading electrical outlets.

Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors.

Tips for Protecting Yourself While Outdoors and Traveling

When possible stay indoors during the storm.

Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks and stairs.

Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.

Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

If you shovel snow, be extremely careful. Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated and avoid overexertion.

Through community involvement and as board chair for the American Red Cross Lakeland Chapter, Ray Kopish touches many lives. Since joining the board six years ago, Ray has come to recognize the needs of the community in a variety of ways.

“One of the great things about the Red Cross is its broad reach and the great number of lives touched through its many services,” said Kopish.”I’ve always felt it’s important to stay involved in your community and stay involved in areas you might not typically be.” Ray finds this helps maintain an understanding and sensitivity to the needs of the community. A community he is committed to being a part of.

Ray gets first hand experience knowing what the needs are with his position as Vice President at the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce. He is also involved in a number of local efforts including being founding board member of the Allouez Optimists Miracle League of Green Bay, acting as N.E.W. Curative Board member for 15 years, and serving as an Allouez Village Trustee.

Ray was born in Marinette, WI and, with his wife, Judi raised their three children here in Green Bay, WI. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and during his time there he participated in the Big Brothers program. The program would be the first of many civic duties he would be involved in over the years.

Ray’s first experience with the Red Cross was over 35 years ago when he started giving blood. Since then he has come to respect the number of services the Lakeland Chapter provides to its service area beyond blood services. Other services include Transportation Services, Disaster Services, Services to the Armed Forces and Health and Safety Services.

“All of these services reach broad segments of the population and by doing so they are assisting not only the community at large but also area employers, workforce, and more.”

Here at the Red Cross we see how Ray touches many lives with his commitment of leadership to the organization. With the help of Ray, the other 19 board members, staff and 450 volunteers the Red Cross has the resources to touch the many households in need. “It’s been an eye-opening experience to see the need across the Lakeland Chapter and the commitment of the volunteers.”

For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege to serve the American people as a member of one of the finest humanitarian organizations in the world…..the Red Cross. I have seen people at their best, performing acts of kindness during the worst of times while facing challenges they never imagined. I experienced first hand the incredible work of the Red Cross and its volunteers in the aftermath of the Loma Prieta earthquake in California, the F5 tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, 9/11, the 2007 and 2008 Wisconsin floods and countless other instances. Time and time again, I have seen the mission of the Red Cross empower people in extraordinary situations and change lives.

Today, we have reached a crossroad. Our national leaders have set an audacious goal of achieving an organization-wide end-state where every chapter has the budget required to deliver mission critical services; where we raise money for the American Red Cross by speaking to donors with one voice; where we save time and money by sharing best-in class back-office solutions across the organization; and where we have compelling and consistent marketing messages.

At the core of this vision is a financially sound American Red Cross. We have a lot of work ahead to improve our financial performance and we must do this against the backdrop of the most difficult economic times in decades. Fundraising has been flat for a number of years. Locally, the majority of our chapters had operating deficits last year resulting in a significant national deficit that must be addressed. We are all working hard to close deficits in chapters and at national headquarters, but we must continue our efforts to raise more money and reduce expenses.

The Northeast Wisconsin Region is comprised of six Chapters serving a population of over 1.2 million people in 19 counties. Our Regional Advisory Council, which includes volunteer chapter leadership and executive director staff, strongly supports our new transformational direction and has adopted a regional strategic business plan centered on the following areas; a focus on core humanitarian programs and services, community presence, shared administrative services, and strategic fundraising.

To enhance our humanitarian programs and services, we will continue to regionalize our disaster and emergency response efforts. Unifying chapter community partnerships and volunteer leadership will facilitate a more self sufficient regional response to large scale emergencies. We will fortify current programs and services provided to military families and veteran homes in the Region. We will also build upon our strong tradition of nursing and growing demand within the health care job market by expanding our Nurse Assistant Training program throughout the Region.

To maximize resources and increase efficiencies, our Chapter donor databases have been consolidated into a single regional database. Similarly, we are consolidating financial data through a central hub. Human resource policies, practices and handbooks are also undergoing consolidation where practical. All functions within the Region are being reviewed to determine efficiencies and best practices are being implemented.

Steve Hansen, right, presenting The Karma Group with their framed print for the creation of the Heroes Ad Campaign.

To enhance fundraising and community presence efforts, the Region is participating in a new national pilot program, The Clara Barton Society, designed to empower individuals and families to invest in the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross by acknowledging and honoring the impact of their generous support locally and nationally. This spring, we will once again engage the public by asking them to “Do something positive and indulge in helping others,” by participating in our region-wide Heroes Fundraising Campaign.

During the past two years, I have served as your Northeast Regional Chapter Executive working with a dynamic group of volunteers and paid staff. As a group, we are committed to transforming the American Red Cross into an organization where we are all part of one Red Cross family, working together and sharing the same goals and commitment to helping others. I sometimes wonder if the Red Cross is not there, who would be there to wrap a blanket around an airline passenger pulled out of the cold waters of the Hudson River, shelter victims forced to evacuate their homes due to floods, wildfires, hurricanes or tornadoes, get blood to a child fighting cancer, or a message to a soldier far from home.

The fact is “your” American Red Cross can only be there through your generosity and the generosity of people like you – people who donate their time, money and blood.

For me, being a part of the American Red Cross has truly been a blessing. I am humbled by the experiences I have had working with the exceptional people associated with it – volunteers, staff and supporters. I am grateful for the lessons in kindness, decency, and compassion the people of Red Cross have taught me.

Thank you for being part of the American Red Cross. May you have a blessed, safe and happy holiday season!